09 January 2009

Random Beer Roundup - The Triumphant Return Edition

Congratulations to you, dear reader. You survived. No more office parties. No more family gatherings. No more holiday shopping. And no more Christmas songs played over and over and over again.

Yes, dear reader, you survived the holidays. And what better way to celebrate than with beer!

To help you celebrate, it is the triumphant return of the Random Beer Roundup, the Hoosier Beer Geek weekly report about all things beer in Indiana. So let us get to it, people!

Winterfest:

The Brewers of Indiana Guild is having their first Winterfest on Saturday, January 24th from 3-7pm.

This indoor tasting at the Indiana State Fairgrounds will have beer from all 27 Indiana breweries as well as from many out of state. Tickets are $15 advance and $20 at the door.

Highlights include the Cask Conditioned Firkin table which will serve 16 rotating beers served by gravity instead of CO2. Six breweries will bring their ReplicAle - a Scottish Ale that has been aged in Jack Daniels barrels.

This Winterfest will use a token system. Your entry includes 10 tokens for 4oz pours. Extras will be available ($5 for 5 tokens). Designated Driver entry is $5.

Economic conditions keeping you away? Here's an opportunity to get in for free! We at Hoosier Beer Geek are attempting to help out with the organization of volunteers to work at the festival. We need people who are willing to work a 3 to 4 hour shift sometime between noon and 8pm. The work includes: checking in brewers, checking ID's, selling and collecting tickets, manning doors, crowd control, keeping the brewers stocked with ice, working a merchandise table, etc. No moving and setting up tables. No trash duty. In return for your help, you'll a free ticket in, free tasting glass, free parking, and access to some additional free stuff. If you are interested, email us at hoosierbeergeek@gmail.com and let us know. We have a limited number of volunteer spots, so email early and often!

Just thought I would let you know that we are doing a Upland tasting starting at 5 this Friday at store #19 in Carmel. Popping their seasonals, regular lineup and some Lambics to see how they are coming along.

All Ram award winning ales and lagers are available To-Go in our 64oz refillable jug for half price. If you do not already own a refillable jug, a purchase of one is required to receive this offer. Ask your server or bartender for details!

- Three Floyds/Mikkeller Oatgoop- Victory Storm King- Victory Old Horizontal- Left Hand Smoke Jumper Smoked Porter- Flying Dog Canis Major Mix Pack (8 beers of their high gravity series)- Jenlain Ambree- Biere de garde- Avery the Kaiser (back in stock!)- Buffalo Bills Blueberry Stout- Dogfish Head Raison' d'Extra, word from the brewery is that this is the last batch of this to be brewed. Get it while it lasts.

Very VeryLimited Releases:I was lucky to get a case each of Three Floyds and Mikkeller collaboration Oatgoop, an Oatwine, and Brooklyn Black Ops, a Russian Imperial Stout that was aged in bourbon barrels for four months and refermented with Champagne yeast. Like I said, very little available, so it will be first come first served but allocated to one bottle per person.

Occasional Rarities (limited quantites, while supplies last):120 Minute IPA (available in January, May & September)Burton Baton (available in March, July & November)Red & White (available in January & February)Black & Blue (available in March & April)BRAND X (will be available in April & May, but we're not ready yet to tell you what it'll be!)Immort Ale (available in April & May)Chateau Jiahu (available in June & July)Theobroma (available in July & August)Pangaea (available in September & October)Olde School Barleywine (available in October & November)World Wide Stout (available in November & December)Fort (available in November & December)

Since the beer doesn't exist (as per the label), I don't have to tell how I acquired said imaginary bottles...

Also I feel I should mention that Shallo's currently has Founders Breakfast Stout AND Founders Imperial Stout ON TAP. Along with that they still have St. Bernardus Apt 12 and Moinette Brune (which is pretty tasty).

Definitely their best line up in a long time. If anyone wants to go, shoot me an email at heliosphann@yahoo.com! I'm looking for any excuse to go to Shallo's right now.

KOTBR #90 - Medal Winners - We visit Barley Island and Brugge Brasserie in Broad Ripple to try some medal winning beers. Things get interesting when we are joined by some special guests, including Michael Phelps, Rob Halford, Glenn Danzig, and Brugge's very own Ted Miller.

Beer: The Pedal Pusher's Potion - Our first in depth feature receives support from Dogfish Head, Left Hand, Breckenridge Brewery, and Smuttynose, and draws in hits from hundreds of cyclists looking for a beer buzz.